Folding umbrella



April 16, 1935. J. Q. SHERMAN 1,993,291

FOLDING UMBRELLA Filed July 2'9,"132 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 1935- J. Q. SHERMAN 1,998,291

FiledvJuly 29, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /Z 3 l5 I0 32 ll Patented Apr. 16, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT cr tics 21 Claims.

This invention relates to umbrellas, and more particularly to an expansible and contractable umbrella capable of being reduced to an extremely small compact form.

While many collapsible and folding umbrellas have been devised, they are for the most part too bulky to be conveniently carried for emergency use except when the need is imminent.

The present invention affords an umbrella of relatively large size when extended, and which when contracted will be self contained within convenient pocket size dimensions, thus enabling it to be carried in a pocket or in a hand bag as distinguished from a mere folding type of umbrella.

The object of the invention is to simplify the construction as well as the means and mode of operation of collapsible umbrellas whereby they will not only be cheap in construction, but will be more convenient and eflicient in operation, easily and quickly adjusted and unlikely to get out of repair.

A further object of the invention is to provide an umbrella which may be contracted into relatively small compass, and when so contracted will be self contained.

A further object of the invention is to provide an umbrella having radially retractable and extensible ribs and means for-effecting unison adjustment thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide an umbrella having a telescopic handle, the manipulation of which serves to extend and contract the supporting ribs and cover.

A further object of the invention is to provide flexible supporting ribs which, when extended,

will be relatively stiif to support the top or cover but which are capable of being rolled upon each other into close formation.

A further object of the invention is to incorporate in an umbrella a container or receptacle within which the umbrella parts are enclosed when retracted.

With the above primary and other incidental 0 objects in view, as will more fully appear in the specification, the invention consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation, or their equivalents, as hereinafter described and set forth in the claims.

In the drawings wherein is shown the preferred, but obviously not necessarily the only form of embodiment of the invention, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the extended or erected umbrella. Fig. 55 2 is a side elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is a top plan view with a portion of the cover released and turned backward to disclose the underlying ribs. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the umbrella partially collapsed. Fig. 5 is a similar view wherein the ribs have been entirely retracted and the cover relaxed preparatory to being folded within the enclosing cover or container. Fig. 6 is a side view of the umbrella with the cover enclosed in the container but with the handle shaft yet extended. Fig. 7 illustrates the complete collapse or retraction of the device. Fig. 8 is a detailed sectional view. Fig. 9 is a side elevation at right angles to that disclosed in Fig. 6. Fig. 10 is a bottom plan view of the collapsed umbrella. Fig. 11 is a sectional plan view showing the ribs in retracted condition while Fig: 12 is a similar view showing the ribs extended. Fig. 13 is a detail perspective view illustrating the mounting of the retractable supporting ribs.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, I is a telescopic handle shaft comprising a succession of tapered sections la, fitting one within the other, which, when the handle shaft is extended, interengage with firm frictional contact of the larger end of each section la within the smaller end of the succeeding section. By forcibly pulling the handle shaft into extended condition, the several sections la are securely frictionally interlocked with each other and will maintain such engagement until the shaft is again contracted by longitudinal compression. The terminal and larger section la of the handle shaft extends within a similar section 2 fixedly secured within a revoluble hub or winding drum 3 pivoted at 4 within a housing 5 into which the flexible supporting ribs 6 are to be retracted.

Secured to the hub or winding drum 3, are a plurality of flexible supporting ribs 6 which are preferably of thin flexible metal transversely curved to afford increased stillness or rigidity when extended. The housing 5 is provided in its peripheral wall with spaced slots 1 through which the respective ribs 6 are reciprocated. The inner ends of the several ribs 6 being fixedly secured to the winding drum or hub 3, as is more particularly shown in Figs. l1, l2 and 13, the rotation of the hub or drum 3 upon its pivotal connection 4 causes the flexible ribs 6 to be wound into evolute formation about the drum or hub 3, or to be unwound therefrom according to the direction of rotation of the handle shaft l and the interconnected hub or drum 3. The ribs 6 being guided in this movement by their projection through the slots in the periphery of the housing 5 are extended in regularly spaced tangential relation with respect to the hub 3 and in substantially radial relation with respect to the umbrella as a whole as is illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13. Upon retraction the flexible ribs are wound about the drum or hub 3, each within another in evolute formation as is illustrated in Fig. 11. However, the ribs are never drawn entirely within the enclosing housing 5, but at the limit of the retractive adjustment the terminal ends of the ribs project slightly outside such housing through the slots in the periphery thereof. A cover sheet 8, of appropriate size and shape is connected at spaced intervals to the ends of the ribs 6, and as the ribs are radially extended by rotation of the winding drum or hub 3, this cover sheet is placed under tension and held in its extended form, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The sheet 8 is connected by buttons, rivets or other fastening devices 8' to the ends of the ribs 6. The housing 5 is provided with a base portion 8 which not only closes the-rib receiving chamber l8, but it projects radially beyond the periphery of the housing 5 and carries in spaced concentric relation therewith a second closure housing I i pivoted at l2 to such extended base portion 9 and forming above and around the inner housing 5 a concentric compartment l8 within which the cover sheet 8 may be contained in a folded or compacted condition.

The base portion 3 of the housing 5 is provided with a bail or handle I4 pivoted therein by which this portion of the device may be conveniently held stationary while the telescopic handle shaft I is revolved relative thereto to effect extension or retraction of the flexible ribs 6. The base portion 9 is provided with a concentric groove l5 within which the handle or bail 14 may be retracted, while the several sections of the handle I are retracted within the interiixed tubular portion 2 of the winding hub 3. The device is capable of being collapsed and retracted into comparatively small compass as is shown in Fig. 7.

To erect the umbrella for use, the handle shaft i is first extended by pulling upon the terminal loop or handle l6 thereof and the enclosure cap II is turned about its pivotal connection I! with the base portion 9 into the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 6 which thereby releases the relaxed and folded cover 8 which can then be shaken out into loose form as shown in Fig. 5. By grasping the bail or handle ll to hold the mounting structure against rotation, and rotating the handle shaft i relative thereto, the winding drum or hub 3 is turned to unwind the flexible ribs 6 from thereabout projecting the ribs radially through the slots 1 in the periphery of the housing 5, as is shown in Fig. 4. The continued rotation of the telescopic handle shaft and its interconnected winding hub 3 causes the ribs to be extended to their full length which is preferably slightly more than the radial dimensions of the cover sheet 8 thereby causing the orenclosure cap II will be suspended upon the mounting structure beneath the extended umbrella cover, as is shown in Fig. 1. By making the mounting parts of comparatively lightflmaterial, such as aluminum, fiber, or a molded synthetic resinous, or phenolic condensation material, the structure may be quite light in weight and of attractive appearance. The cover sheet 8 is preferably made of balloon silk or some other impervious but light thin fabric which may be folded or compacted into small form to be easily contained within the container cap I I.

As may best be seen from an inspection of Figs. 1, 11 and 12, the outer end of each of the ribs 6 rotates or twists through an angle of substantially 90 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rib when advanced from the contracted position disclosed in Fig. 11 to the extended position disclosed in Fig. 1. By 'so doing the rib 8 presents a flat surface when in contact with the sheet 8. The twisting or rotating of the outer end of each rib may be accomplished by the-shape of the slots, by the inherent qualities of the ribs, or by the sheet 8 cooperating with the cord I! to twist the rib. In addition to presenting a flat surface to the sheet 8 so as to improve the appearance thereof, the outer end of each rib is more easily bent or buckled beneath the cover sheets so as to give this a shallow dish or concave formation. In the preferred modification the bending or buckling is caused by the ribs having a length greater than the radial dimensions of the cover sheet. The ribs, being made preferably from a resilient material, may be so shaped as to assume inherently a bent and twisted position when extended, thereby relieving undue strains and stresses in the cover sheet 8 and the cord ll.

, From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific. as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise the preferred form of several modes of putting the invention into effect, and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In an umbrella, a cup-shaped support having slots therein a series of substantially radially disposed flexible supporting ribs extending through said slots, a revoluble hub to which the flexible ribs are connected, said ribs being provided with'a cover attachable thereto and placed under tension by the extension thereof, and means for rotating the hub relative to the support to wrap the flexible ribs thereabout.

2. In an umbrella, a series of supporting ribs to be extended in substantially radial position, said ribs being provided with a cover attached thereto and placed under tension by the extension'of the ribs, and a relatively revoluble handle shaft by the rotation of which the supporting ribs may be extended and retrieved.

3. In an umbrella, a series of flexible supportall ing ribs to be substantially radially extended, said ribs being provided with a cover attached thereto and placed under tension by the extension of the ribs, said cover rotating the outer ends of the ribs and winding means for winding the flexible ribs into substantially circular compact formation.

'4. In an umbrella, a series of substantially radially disposed flexible supporting ribs, said ribs being provided with a cover attached thereto and placed under tension by the extension of the ribs, said cover twisting and deflecting the outer ends of the ribs so as to produce a disk shaped um- I brella.

5. In an umbrella having a cover, the combination including, a support, a series of supporting ribs carried by said support, said ribs extending substantially radially from said support when extended, and arranged in overlapping convolusions when retracted, said support having a lid carried thereby and cooperating therewith to enclose the cover when in retracted position.

6. In an umbrella, a casing having a plurality of apertures, a plurality of ribs extending through said apertures, said ribs extending substantially radially from said casing when extended and arranged in convolutions adjacent said casing when retracted.

7. In an umbrella having a handle, a slotted cup-shaped support carried by said handle, and a plurality of ribs carried by said support, said ribs when in extended formation extending substantially radially from the support through the slots therein and when contracted arranged in overlapping convolutions.

8. In an umbrella having a handle, a case carried by said handle, a plurality of ribs carried by said case, said ribs when contracted being arranged in convolutions within said casing.

9. In an umbrella having a handle, a support, a casing, said handle and support being rotatively mounted in said casing, and a plurality of ribs, said ribs when contracted being arranged in overlapping convolutions within said casing.

. 10. In an umbrella having a handle, a casing, a support rotatively mounted in said casing and fixedly attached to the handle, and a plurality of ribs having their ends attached to said support, said ribs when in contracted relation being arranged in convolutions and when extended, extending substantially radially from said casing.

11. In an umbrella having a cover, the combination including a casing enclosing said cover when folded, a second casing mounted within said casing, the first casing being horizontally pivotally mounted to a lower portion of said second casing so that when the umbrella is extended said first casing is swung down and concealed by the cover of said umbrella.

12. In an umbrella having a handle, a casing, a support pivotally mounted in said casing, said handle being fixedly attached to said support and extending from said casing, said casing adapted to support a second casing, and a plurality of ribs each having one of its ends attached to said support, said ribs when in contracted relation being arranged in spiral relation within the first casing and when in extended relation extending therefrom, a relative rotation of said handle causing the ribs to move from one position-to the other.

13. In a folding umbrella having a cover, a support, a plurality of ribs carried by said support, said ribs when extended being substantially radially arranged with respect to said support and when contracted being arranged in spiral relation adjacent to said support, and a casing cooperating with said support for enclosing the spirally arranged ribs.

14. In a folding umbrella having a collapsible handle and a cover, the combination including a plurality of ribs for supporting the cover, a support carrying said ribs, said ribs extending radially from said support when extended and arranged in a spiral relation adjacent to said support when contracted, and a casing for enclosing the spirally arranged ribs when the umbrella is folded, said collapsible handle being carried by said casing when said umbrella and handle are in inoperative position.

15. In an umbrella, a series of flexible supporting ribs to be substantially radially extended, said ribs being provided with a cover attached thereto and placed under tension by the extension of the ribs, and winding means for winding the flexible ribs into substantially circular compact formation, said winding means including a rotatable member and a stationary member, one of which is provided with slots through which the ribs pass.

16. In an umbrella, a support, a series of supporting ribs carried by said support, the ribs extending substantially radially from said support when extended, and arranged in overlapping convolutions when retracted, said ribs twisting and bending downwardly at the outward ends when extended.

17. In ,an umbrella, a support, a series of supporting ribs carried by said support, the ribs extending substantially radially from said support when extended, and arranged in overlapping convolutions when retracted, and means for causing the ribstotwist and diverting the ends of said ribs before they are fully extended.

18. In an umbrella having a handle, a casing having a plurality of apertures attached to said handle, a plurality of ribs extending through said apertures, said'ribs extending substantially radially from said casing when extended and arranged in convolutions adjacent said casing when retracted, the outer end of each rib changing its plane from a plane parallel to the handle, to a plane normal thereto when the ribs are moved from retracted to extended position.

19. In an umbrella having a handle, a support carried by said handle, and a plurality of ribs carried by said support, said ribs when in extended formation extending substantially radiallyfrom the support and when contracted arranged in overlapping convolutions, and means for twisting and deflecting the ribs before reaching fully extended position.

20. In an umbrella, a. plurality of supporting ribs, of which the outer end of each is rotated through approximately ninety degrees about its' longitudinal axis when moved from folded to unfolded position.

21. In an umbrella, a plurality or ribs arranged in convolutions when folded and extending substantially radially when extended, the outer end of each of the ribs rotating substan-- tially through ninety degrees about its own longitudinal axis when moving fromone position to the other.

JOHN Q. SHERMAN. 

